Improvement in side-spring vehicles



W. W. GRIER. Side-Spring Vehicle Patented Dec. II, 1877,

iv-Wrens. sumo-insomnia, wasymmou, 0 cl of Hulton, in the countyFittings;

UNITED5TATES PA E O F E j WILLIAM W. GRIER, or HULTON, Panrtsxm'rhnrn.

' IN SI DEJ-SPRING VEHICLES."

Specification forming part of Letters P a'tent No. 197,930, datedDecember 1], 1 877; application filed Qctober13,18 77. r l 1 To all whomit may concern:-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. GRIER, of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new andusefulImprovementinVehicle Springsand and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view ofdevices embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same,partly in section. Fig. 3 is a front view.

Fig. 4: is a detached view of the combined friction-plate andspringclips; and Fig. 5 is a detached view of the double clip.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates to the arrangement and manner of connecting thesprings and running-gear in vehicles; is generally applicable in thoseVehicles where diagonal or ob. liquelyarranged springs are employed, andis especially applicable in no-perch vehicles, wherein diagonal oroblique side springs are connected directly to therunning-gear.

It consists in forming clips upon or with the upper friction-plate orhalf of the fifth-wheel, whereby the fittings are rendered more simpleand elfective, and the appearance of the vehicle improved.

I will now proceed to describe my invention, so that others skilled inthe art to which it appertains may apply the same.

In the drawing, A indicates the front axle; B, the rear axle; O, thehead-block; D,the upper springs, and E E the lower springs; the vehiclebeing devoid of perch or reach, the gearing being coupled by means ofthe springs.

The springs D D and E E are arrangedin different horizontal planes, andare of any suitable material and number of leaves.' The upper or topsprings D D extend longitudinally from the top of the head-block G tothe top of the rear axle B, being secured at each end by suitable clips,and are preferably arranged in substantially parallel position. Thelower or under springs E are arranged obliquely or diagonally, divergingfrom the head-block O to the rear axle B, and are secured by their endsto the under side of said head-block and rear axle by'clips havingobliq'ue lugs 'or cars. The rear ends of springs E Emay be either to theouter or inner side'of the springs l), but are preferably connected tothe under side of the axle in the same vertical plane with theattachment of springs D, as shown, while the front ends of said springsE should be connected to the under side of the head-block on either sideof the king-bolt.

The ends of the diagonal springs E are secured by clips having obliqueears for the pivotal attachment of said springs, so that the springs donot require to be bent from a direct line for purposes of attachment,and consequently are stronger, vibrate more evenly and uniformly, andthe connections have less strain put upon them. For the best results, aswell as for simplicity. and neatness of finish, a

double clip, F, is used at the rear, and a combined clip andfriction-plate in front. F, the double clip for the rear axle, (or anysprings when pivoted in the same vertical plane,) is composed of twosimilar sections, each having two cars, f, perforated for the bolt whichsecures the spring, and single strap f", forming half the shackle, andterminating in a bolt, and an eye, z, for the reception of the bolt ofthe opposite section. Said construction dispenses with the independentlink of the oldstyle shackle, and couples the shackle in a v mannerwhich renders it better adapted to bear strain, and less liable to wearloose or cast a nut.

In the present instance, one set of lugs or cars, f, are set upobliquely, in order to. secure the end of the under spring F in the lineof its projection and vibration, as before specified.

It will be seen that the two sections composing the double clip andshackle are identical, so that any two of similar proportions willmatch, thus obviating the multiplicity of parts, and special parts,which is a material advanta e.

ecured to the under side of head-block G is the upper friction-plate gof the fifth-wheel. This plate I extend out or form as a bar, so shapedas to apply itself to the head-block, and on each wing or extensionthereof are made ears g, either arranged obliquely or otherwise,according to the direction of the spring secured therein. In the presentcase they are oblique. lhe lower friction-plate h of thefifth-wheel isof the usual or any approved form, is secured to the upper surface ofthe front axle, the axle and head-block beiug connected by the king-boltj, and fifthwheel braces 7c, of any desired pattern, being applied inthe Well-known manner.

The springs D D and E E are rigidly connected at'or near their midlengthby means of a transverse tie bar or stay, K, so that the weight isuniformly distributed to the several springs, so that they will vibratein unison.

Additional brackets, braces, and stays may be used, if desired; or anyof the well-known constructions and connections adapted for the purposespecified, and to prevent rotation of the axle.

The advantages of my devices are, that a w more durable and serviceablerunning-gear is obtained, and one less likely to work loose and rattle,and, finally, simplicity and gracefulness of construction are-attained.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patcut, is--- 1. The fifth-wheel for no-perch vehicles, having awinged upper friction-plate provided with ears for securing the lowersprings, substantially as specified.

2. The clip having suitable ears f, single strap f, and eye 43, thewhole constructed substantially as described, and adapted to form with alike section the double clip F, for the I purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I, the said WILLIAM W. GRIER, have hereunto set myhand.

WILLIAM W. GRIER.

Witnesses:

F. W. BITTER, J12, Jmwms 1. KAY.

